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 Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:39 am
 My life goes on in endless song Above Earth's lamentations, I hear the real, though far-off hymn That hails a new creation  Ilona - x
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:40 am
 Through all the tumult and the strife I hear its music ringing, It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?  Name: Gwynna Chirilo Age: 21 (Hm, probably 22 now! XD) Appearance: Gwynna is rather petite, her slim form kept that way from years of travel and harsh living. She has small delicate features and wide green almond-shaped eyes. Her long reddish hair is slightly wavy and usually held back from her face by a brightly colored scarf. At times, she will braid beads or yarn into her hair. Her typical garb is a moss-green dress with multiple skirts and a fitted bodice. She usually also has scarves tied around her waist to accentuate her figure. Previously: Saucy, sarcastic, flirty, a definite tease. Very little sense of modesty, always willing to put on a show. Clearly intelligent and creative, but she tends to put up a front to protect her more sensitive side. Currently: She is slowly becoming more social, but she has not yet been able to enjoy music or open up to anyone. She desperately hopes that travelling with a group that doesn't know much of her past will help her heal-- mentally, emotionally, and physically. She is considerably more reserved, although flashes of her former enthusiasm and humor show through. Background: Gwynna is a musician, raised in the Gypsy tradition. Born in Sheulan Woods, she received informal musical training from the Elder of her family's band. She can read and write well enough to record bits and pieces of her own music, as well as documenting the traditional music of her people. She did quite a bit of travelling in her teens, first with and later without her family. During her travels she made a living by singing and playing violin in market squares, as well as dancing, at fairs, on street corners, and the occasional "private performance." Therefore, she acquired a bit of a reputation- besides that which being a Gypsy alone gave her. At one such performance, a young man who called himself Shade became infatuated with her. After a few weeks of a rather passionate relationship, Gwynna discovered she was pregnant. Shade offered to marry her, but his parents were appalled at the thought of sullying the family name with Gypsy blood. Gwynna was forced to flee the area with no money, no protection other than her own knowledge of self-defense, and a large belly. After a couple of months living hand-to-mouth, the baby was born. The girl was weak and sickly, and died in less than a week. Furious with herself and the world at large, Gwynna gave up her music and avoided human contact for nearly a year. She eventually made her way back to Sheulan Woods and sought refuge with her family. Unable to stay in one spot, Gwynna made contact with the caravan of the Fortunettes. Sketch of Gwynna by Lucifer Force, colored by Kimie Kitty
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:41 am
 While though the tempest loudly roars, I hear the truth it liveth And though the darkness 'round me close, Songs in the night it giveth.  Name: Nusa Stage: Darkling Infant Current Appearance: Dark, brown-ish fur and skin; long, ringed tail, typical red panda facial markings, dark, curly red-brown hair, bamboo circlet, loose white dress with embroidery.
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:42 am
 No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that rock I'm clinging. Since love is lord of heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing? Gwynna travels light, as she is used to travelling alone and on foot. She keeps only a few changes of clothing, along with her collection of scarves. She has a small carved box which holds a few scraps of poems and songs-in-progress. Her old violin is kept safe, wrapped in cloth and hidden from prying eyes. Those scraps and the violin are the only material indicators of her former life. She has been provided with a small wagon, suitable for a single woman living alone, which she has named "The Singing Bird," after her family-name. A sturdy gelding pony called Bard pulls the wagon at a steady pace.  *Upon meeting Valelldia, Gwynna was gifted with a beautiful ring which she wears on her right hand. So simple it was beautiful, carved from a single spray of a jasper-green stone that had strains of pink and blue through it, like a fiery opal... and it came to a head in the shape of an open flower, just at the point where the natural color fibers in the stone turned to that rich, mysterious pink. Valelldia told her, "This... will summon a nymph- a goddess of the forest... but only once. They are magical and generous, and can help in many different ways. So use this wisely."  *Lorelei, a woman of the caravan, brought a beautiful blue-green shell to Gwynna's door.               Eggs gathered on Ostara *A small hard lump of amber, found by Nusa. *A strange stone, found by Aisrhan in the forest. *A bangle bracelet from Rojiza * Art by Elysia Kavanagh Ilona: A young female Gold-Head Banya Current Wagon Order:: The current highest power balance is from Ravenwood to Rusting Canvas. 1. WhistleStick- Fire2. Spotted Sage- Spirit3. Varekai- Light4. Ravenwood- Delusion/ Earth/ Spirit5. Leatherbound & Ivy-Twined- Sound6. Mossy Charm- Fire/ Earth7. Daggerheld- Earth8. PhoenixSong- Fire/ Air9. Narkri Chooma- Earth10. Wind Wheels - Fire/ Earth11. Blessed Change- Earth12. Satyameva Jayate - Sound/ Fire 13. Rusting Canvas- Earth14. Veshengo's wagon- Fire 15. A Light in the Dark- Light/ Earth/ Darkness16. Serous Pages - Water17. Daityrvyn- Wood18. Forest Spirit- Wood19. Jal's wagon- Earth/ Wood20. The Singing Bird- Wood21. Rhythmique- Water22. Mountain Air- Earth/ Water23. Weathered Melody- Air/ Illusion24. Noem Weatherhart's wagon- Ice 25. Clair d' Lune- Air/ Darkness26. Honeyed Aria- Air/ Ice
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:43 am
 When tyrants tremble in their fear And hear their death-knell ringing, When friends rejoice both far and near How can I keep from singing? The first person related to the caravan that Gwynna met. He was bathing. Naked. He is a right scoundrel, but he and Gwynna get along well enough. Leshya'e: Veshengo's love interest, although it was hard to get him to admit it. Gwynna has only seen her very briefly. Valelldia: A magical woman. Gwynna hopes to get to know her better, as it was her kindness that allowed her to join the caravan. Oqaia: Val's half-sister, and new to the caravan like Gwynna. She is the first person to learn of Gwynna's past. Caroline: Met and spoke with briefly at the campfire regarding the meij. Cerces: A keeper and trader of Banyas with Esperita's caravan. Kidra: Another woman of Esperita's caravan; had been caring for the long-lost Stefan. Silver: Mother of Aisrhan and Khevashi; gave Gwynna a strange stone for Nusa. Rojiza: A Fortunette with squirrel features.
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:44 am
 In prison cell and dungeon vile Our thoughts to them are winging, When friends by shame are undefiled How can I keep from singing? Gwynna meets Veshengo in the woods, joins the caravan. Period of inactivity sweatdrop January 2006: Wagon-ordering Ceremony February 2006: Gwynna's dream March 2006: Nusa awakes! May 2006: Another Wagon-Ordering Ceremony June 2006: Strange things are happening... September 2006: Oqaia has an odd dream regarding Nusa. Mid-September 2006: Nusa becomes an infant
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 12:00 pm
Item Stage: Bamboo Flute  Animal Stage: Red Panda  Infant Stage  *Profile image sketch of Gwynna by Lucifer Force, color by Kimie Kitty Gwynna & Nusa Art by Missa, color by Kimie Kitty
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 12:02 pm
*Be nice *Use common sense *Keep OOC & IC stuff separate *Please only post if you have a character with the caravan or a Fortunette child. Or if you're Pannie, Oq, or Val. Obviously. *Don't steal any art or writing found here. That's just stupid.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:29 pm
[ORP: Wagon-ordering Ceremony]Found in its entirety starting herePart 1: Gathering Gwynna Chirilo With a soft flick of the reins, Gwynna stopped her wagon. She clucked quietly at Bard, and descended down from the wagon's seat. Stretching and popping her back, she yawned. The caravan had reached the river. Gwynna glanced around for a familiar face. Although she had been travelling with these women for weeks, she'd barely met any of them. She'd actually stayed away somewhat, as children were still a bit of a sore subject for her. with a mental shake of her head, she decided it was high time she got over that. She leaned into the wagon, grabbed a tin cup, and headed for the water, careful to stay upstream. Valelldia Oqaia stepped out of her wagon, down onto the wooden step that came off the back- but instead of hopping to the earth, she stayed there, watching the caravan before her. ...The children were playing in a circle off to the side- just far enough away from the water for their mother and fathers comfort. Some were feeding their animals, unyoking them from the head of their wagons, and others were laughing and joking around the fire that Oqaia saw they'd already started, and hung a pot of something steamy over. And she was struck, as she leaned against the wooden frame, pressing her fingers into its finely crafted smooth exterior, that this truly was a family- and it truly was her calling to be here.
"Good travels, sister. What are you staring at so lovingly?" The voice came from around the side of her wagon, and she would have started if it had been from any other source than her good half-sister. ..Valelldia's voice was even and syrupy, like a dark pool of water at night- deep and dark, but smooth and clear enough that you could stare at it for hours.
Oqaia sighed- not an unhappy sound- and crooked a side of her mouth up towards those yellow eyes she shared with the gypsy. "You know good and well what I'm smiling at."
Valelldia beamed, looking out over the sight of the afternoon caravan. "They are wonderful, aren't they? ...Why haven't you joined them?"
"Why haven't you?"
Val swished at her skirts, smoothing the gourd-shaped bag Oqaia only now noticed she'd slung over her shoulder. "Other things have attended me."
There didn't seem to be anything to say to that, so Oqaia stepped down from the stair, giving the wood one last lingering touch. Her sister leveled an eyebrow at her.
"Have you named it yet?"
"What?"
"Your wagon. Is it named?"
Oqaia was silent- for the answer was no- but something in her didn't want to tell her sister this... especially not on the day of the wagon ordering ceremony- so she looked instead over the expanse of the Pythos, and the sptrad of her gypsy family playing in the grass... and turned back to her sister after a long, peaceful moment.
"Mm. I have. Blessed Change."
Her half-sister only put out her hand to the bright-haired girl. "Come, then, she of Blessed Change. We've much to do." And with that, she ran at a skip towards the fire, pulling her sister along behind. Valelldia Valelldia let go of her sister's hand once they reached the circle of stones that marked the seating for the fire-circle. She let the bag on her shoulder drop to the ground beside her, and raised her hands above her head, inciting a very old- very simple piece of gypsy magic.
Imperceptibly... she tugged at a strand of the meij. Every fortunette and owner would feel a slight tug- a desire to be around the fire. For today was a festival day- and there would be great rejoicing.
Even Oqaia's Varlan, who had been previously yoked to the newly named Blessed Change, came forward, walking right into the campsite and hunkering down next to his mother, who also felt the bizarre, almost unsettling tug. Gwynna Chirilo After taking a few sips of the cool fresh water and rubbing down her gelding, Gwynna meant to rest inside the wagon. And then she felt the.. pulling. Inspite of her misgivings, she made her way to the fire. She sat, nodding at Val in recognition, twisting the lovely ring around her finger. Pales Annjette had safely wiggled out of Lorelei's grasp and was about to say something to Kale when suddenly Voltaire scooped her up and was carrying her to the fire. Annjette let out a squeak and sort of semi-glared at her father-figure but otherwise made no complaint. Perhaps after whatever it was that was going on there would be time to play with that spikey-haired boy and the foxling that was in the process of showing her a game or trying to.
Voltaire had felt the tug and obliged it without even really realizing it. Though Annjette was needed to be with him he felt so he picked her up on his way over after attending to his tasks and having the chance to wander.
Once at the fire he got himself a seat setting Annjette upon his lap. Emelyn Pierre furrowed his fuzzy eyebrows. What was that? Something was... pulling at him... like a ringing in his ear, but there was no sound. Maybe his mother would know. So, without saying goodbye to Annjette or the others, he ran at full gallop to find Emelyn- only to find himself walking into the firecircle. ...Which wasn't where his mother was. He looked unhappy, not quite understanding what had happened, until his mother- who had also felt the pull, came from where she'd been wading in the river, and kissed him on the spiky head- very gingerly- from behind. "Here, sweets. Sit down. And be good. This is the second festival you've been in," she said, as she took a seat next to her son, "but you were too young to remember the first one." She continued to calm her son in this easy, hushed manner while the others found their way to the flames. Marissa Vadim Marissa was at the fire already, and she felt an absolute peace in being so. She leaned back on her palms and watched the flames dance, vaguely noticing that Valleldia and her sister had come around, as well. Welcome, my dear family, she thought. She felt an odd, ethereal joy at the presence of others, and knew her son needed to be near. She whistled over her shoulder, two low, quick strains, and soon Kale was at her side, hugging her sleeve and laying his round baby cheek on her shoulder.
She smiled and wondered if Kale remembered the feeling as well as she did. Elysia Kavanagh Lorelei followed Voltaire and Annjette, sitting down in the warm glow. Vanna fluttered off of her shoulder, making a quick circle of the group before resettling herself on Lorelei's lap. Leshyae Leshya'e woke Anezka and carried her over to where the others have gathered. She greeted her friends with a bright smile, then found a log to sit on, settling down and cuddling Anezka on her lap.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:30 pm
Part 2: Wishing Oqaia Oqaia looked around the fire at all the gathered gypsies and their children. She was filled with a flush of warmth, and wanted to greet them all- but had no idea what Valelldia had in store for them, so she was silent. Her sister stood, her arms wide and her smile wider. "Welcome, friends, sisters, and brothers. We are finally to the Pythos- the great river that will take us through this land with ease, and along which are many trading ventures for us to live off of. It's been a long journey, and today is a specialy day- for we celebrate our family and our communion with the magic by ordering our wagons according to the meij... and coming together to feel warmth, happiness, and prosperity." She crouched down, a swirl of skirts to pull from her pack a velvety red bag, tied together with a beautifully tasseled drawstring. She pulled the string loose and put her hand into the small pouch, drawing forth a palm of sparkling dust. Valelldia flung the dust into the flames, and they danced red and blue- and a vision danced before the assemblies eyes. It was that of a serpent, dropping a black apple from a tulgy tree. Then, in an instant, the vision was gone. Val knew it would mean something only to her- as would all the visions that would come to those who spread the dust on the fire. "This is wish dust, my friends," she said, passing the dust to the person next to her. "And my wish... is for there to be great harmony and love with us tonight. You may all make a wish- either silently or out loud to us- and throw this dust upon the fire. Do not be afraid of the vision that comes when you do- for it is personal, and it may be that no others will understand it but you." Elysia Kavanagh When Lorelei took the dust and flung it into the fire, she took a deep breath, expecting the worst. But instead, she saw a pair of hands, fine and long and white, working threads, all of different colors, into one brilliant tapestry. The spools that the thread came from were dark, the wood warped and pitted - but the finished product was unified and whole and exquisite. "I wish that any among us who are still tied down to the past may find a way to begin to move forward," she murmured, softly, so that only those very close to her could hear. Leshyae Leshya'e looked at Lorelei, then took her handful of dust. She tossed it at the fire and silently whispered her prayer-like wish. "I wish that our children will grow strong and wise, passing on their magic to the following generations" She smiled at the fire as she saw a young adult female that looked much like Anezka probably would. Surrounding her were the other older looking Fortunette's. Emelyn Emelyn took the dust from the person nearest to her and squirreled up the courage to fling a handful in the fire. What danced out of the flames was a dagger... thrust deep into the trunk of a tree. For a moment, her heart was afraid- but the red and white flames that licked up showed that the dagger was old... and the trunk had shoots of green life growing around it- new life was being born around the object of violence. Her wish was silent, and spoken in her head. I wish I can help Pierre... to become a Fortunette adult. He is on such a dangerous path, and I worry for him.As if he could read her thoughts, her son gave her a strange look, and Emelyn was suddenly afraid. But all he did was reach his hand out, and she was relieved- he wanted the bag. She passed it to him- Valelldia had said nothing about those children who could speak- and he took a pinch of powder and tentatively let it fall into the fire. What rose up... was something that he didn't understand, or even really focus on- but his mother was struck cold. A snake and a dark swan... were fighting. But before it could be seen who was the victor- or if they tore each other to shreds- the vision was gone. "I wish to have fun always." Pierre said, and gave the bag to the one nearest to him. Oqaia The bag was nowhere near Oqaia, and she watched as the others experienced their visions. She was quiet... and didn't know what to think, but was almost glad that the bag was nowhere near her. Her sister, however, nudged her, and while the person who had the bag currently stalled in her answer, Valelldia poured a small handful into her sister's hand. She had taken more than she herself would need...for her sister. "Gee, thanks," Oq said sarcastically. Val just laughed and nudged her sister again until the pink-haired girl offered up her hand to have the dust dumped into it. The bag was passing hands, so Oqaia took the few moments to make her own wish. "I wish... that I understand my destiny," she said, loud and clear, ignoring the strange vision that had crept up into the volatile element... two hearts intertwining. Leshyae Anezka watched the fire, then looked at Pierre and up at Leshya'e. She waved her hand, as if trying to say she was wanted to do what everyone else was. Leshya'e reached and took some dust and poured it from her hand into Anezka's. The little girl tossed the dust into the fire as she had watched everyone do. She didn't say anything allowed, but Lesh believed that her daughter must have thought a wish in her head, as an image of a growing rose flared up in the fire. Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna crept to the fire, a small pile of dust cupped in one brown hand. She whispered quietly, her lips barely moving, and watched as the fire twisted and turned, for a brief moment showing a tiny girl-child wrapped in clean scarves not unlike the cloth circling Gwynna's waist. With a gasp, she retreated to her seat, tears in her eyes. "Shade," she whispered, shaking slightly. Marissa Vadim Marissa stepped forward, Kale at her side, holding her hand. She took a handful of wish dust and sifted it over the fire, and watched as her vision unfolded. The fire brought forth an image of a great tree, and the tree was consumed by fire. Marissa drew back, afraid, for the tree was being hurt by the flames, and soon withered to nothing. The woman was frightened into silence at first, when suddenly life burst forth from the pile of ashes, and into the sky flowered an even greater tree, twisting and turning, upwards and upwards, until it collapsed into colorful sparks and blew away in the wind.
Marissa smiled and squeezed Kale's hand. She knew what the image meant. So with a strong voice she spoke, "I wish for compassion- for each member of my blessed gypsy family to feel as one spirit with everone and everything around them." She muttered again as she left the fireside, "Compassion..." Pales Voltaire watched the visions and quietly seemed to think for a moment as he took in his hand some of the dust. He just held it there and thought, what had he to wish for. He had all he needed, and while he pondered, Annjette who was on his lap got some of the dust in her own cupped hands that sifted out of his.
He glanced at the dark haired girl and chuckled and tossed his dust into the flames and a vision of a compass with it's needle spinning crazily formed and twirled in mid-air before fading away, "I wish for all to find what they seek in their travels."
Annjette also tossed her dust, and her vision was simply her and Voltaire in a father and daughter hug, with Vanna and Lorelei standing near by. She did not speak her wish but merely thought it, I wish for all that are alone and abandoned to find a good family like I did. SilverDragon285 Silver sat silently with her family, who were currently discussing the order of the wagons. She wasn't sure where her wagon should go, so she let the others decide for her as she contemplated all that had happened thus far. She had watched the wishing ceremony and silently made her own, tossing the dust into the fire. "Please let Aisrhan forgive Val... please." The vision that had revealed itself to her both frightened and intrigued her. A long, skeletal hand that was attached to a hooded figure's arm beckoned her, called to her. She saw the green glowing eyes beneath the hood, could feel the darkness overpowering her, if only for a brief moment. That was the scary part... but the large black form hunched upon the figure's shoulder was what intrigued her. What was it? Some kind of animal? A bird? Silver felt she had to know, but before she could do anything, the vision had vanished, and she realized she had been reaching toward the fire, had almost fallen into it, taking Aisrhan with her. The few that had noticed had exchanged worried glances with each other and kept looking at Silver in an odd way. She tried to shrug it off, but the image haunted her (what did it have to do with Aisrhan forgiving Valelldia?), and though Aisrhan managed to ignore it and was enjoying the ceremony with everyone else... Pandara Pan watched silently during the ceremony. Something was bothering her, as she wasn't usually a silent person. But she did partake in the wishing dust, tossing it upon the fire, this is what she saw,
The fire burst high as a blury image of the caravan came into the fire. One thing was different as the wagons were splattered with paint of all colors.
Pandara winced, "Well... I have no idea what that means." She said under her breath. Pan remembered there was a wish to follow. "I wish to find kin of which I belong." This stirred something with Pandara's heart, a mix of pain and happiness for she had been alone all her life always taking care of herself. Happiness was found because she knew her wish was already comming true. Menelie Caroline, in rather a silent mood today, had come to sit near the fire without a word. As the powder bag is passed around, Caroline takes a modest handful and flings it into the fire. She shields her eyes from the brightness that follows. I wish for a soul-companion. For love. She thinks. She sees nothing but a bright white light, and two silhouettes. One she recognizes as herself, for she hears the bells on her own skirt jangling merrily. The other...she does not recognize. Both figures stare intently at each other, and seem to be happy. Her vision-self makes a move toward the male silhouette, but the vision is through. She shakes her head to clear it.
Rojiza, watching her mother, takes a tiny handful of the powder and lets it fall into the fire. She'd heard the gypsy-leader-lady. She wishes for something special to fall into her hands. Her vision is a swirling of rich colour. She sees russet and violet and gold and blue and green. Every time she tries to focus on one colour, it's gone and another had taken its place. As the vision dissipates and Caroline passes the bag on over her head, she starts. Caroline's skirt today is just the same colour green she'd seen in her vision. Blinking, she sits quietly, pondering.
...
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:37 pm
Part 3: Growing Oqaia Valelldia felt great joy at the collection of beautiful, heartwarming wishes- and knew that the meij was, as well- for it whispered in her ear, spoke to her and pulled at her heart. She stood, interrupting those who had yet to make a wish, and put her hand out to one of the gypsies. "Leshyae? Will you come to me? Carry young Anezka." Leshyae Leshya'e looked up at Val and nodded, standing up with her daughter, taking Val's hand and walking with her. "Yes?...What is it?" Oqaia Oqaia looked up at her sister, deeply curious as to what was going on. But she was silent and almost slack-jawed in wonder as her sister put her dark fingers on the rabbit-girl's forehead. "The meij would like to reward us for our selfless wishes." She touched her lips to the infant's forehead. "We all love our children, for they are not only the product of the meij in our life.. but our destinies. Our progeny. I can think of no better way to please the magic in our life, but to give it what it so desires- the rose... growing." She closed her eyes, and drew her hands up into the sky. The meij responded, warping itself around her aura, and swirling in an almost visible spiral into the sky. Then, it coursed down through the dark gypsy- And came down through the kiss that was left on the child's forhead. In an instant, what stood before them was no longer the Anezka they all knew.  Valelldia Oqaia was astounded.
"But... Val... those quests... they're dark magic. How is this possible? Is Anezka okay?" She looked to the child- what magic was this? But her sister calmed her with a soothing glance, and answered the question as if her mother had asked it. She turned to Leshyae.
"This is a very rare occurance. Quests for a growth to be a Child of the Light or a Child of the Dark is a very difficult process. ...But this is a special day, and a very special gift that has been given. Cherish it- for Anezka is a Child of the Light." She brushed her fingertips lovingly across the girl's chin. Leshyae Her eyes were wide, as was her mouth, shocked beyond belief at the change in her child. She looked at Val and Oqaia, then pulled Anezka tightly into her arms. She had some many qyestions for the two women, but was in far too much shock to ask them. Emelyn Pierre elbowed his mother, whose automatic reaction was to shush him, so rapt at attention was she at the marvels Val was performing through the means of the meij- but Pierre stabbed at Emelyn's arm with one of his claws and she yelped, finally attending to her son. "Pierre, that is vicious," she whispered, "don't ever do it again." "I'm sorry," he mumbled, "but... does that mean Anezka is a child now, too?" "Yes," his mother said, patting his arm. "Just like you." She felt badly, however- for in a way... she was lying to her son. Anezka and Pierre were both children, to be sure- but she remembered what Val had told her when her child grew. "Pierre... is a Child of the Darkness." ..He and Anezka weren't alike. ...Anezka was of the light. She patted his arm reassuringly, wishing there was someone to reassure her, as well. Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna leaned forward slightly to catch every word spoken. Her eyes widened as, all of a sudden, the little rabbit-girl was.. not so little. She shook her head in wonder at the power and wisdom involved in such a transformation. Although she knew very little of the Fortunettes, she knew powerful magic when she saw it-- and could almost feel the spell/aura. High, high, high pitched in the back of her mind, she heard the sweetly solemn/sorrowful tuning of a well-loved violin. Gwynna shuddered. Marissa Vadim Marissa looked on in awe at the transformation. When it was all over, she beamed at Maeko. "Congratulations, sister," she murmured.
Glancing over at Emelyn, she reognized grief on her friend's face. Instantly, she knew why, and empathized. She could only wonder how it felt, to have a Child of Darkness, but she knew that in the midst of a change like Anzeka's it must have been a load to bear. So she scooted, imperceptibly, closer to Emelyn, just close enough so that she could lean a kind shoulder into her friend's. It was a small gesture, but she hoped it would prove comforting. Emelyn Em felt someone scoot up next to her, and looking, she saw the empathetic face of her friend. She didn't have to say anything, just bowed her head to her shoulder, and let herself be swept up in the joy of the ceremony. There would be more to discuss later. Pales Annjette and Voltaire both watched the wonderment of Anezka's growth into childhood. Voltaire was clearly impressed as was Annjette, but they spoke not a word.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:46 pm
Part 4: Balancing Valelldia
It was heartwarming to see the mother embrace her daughter, and Val thought, as was always the case when one of their own grew, that it was miraculous- almost unfathomable- to understand the bond between a parent and a child. There was something more than magic there that bonded them. There was love.
"Here," she said to the pair, "I know you have many questions, and if you would like, after the ceremony you can come to WhistleStick, and we will dicuss them all. Perhaps the young Anezka would like her first sip of the Saris tea." She winked at the young one... and then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the worried look of another gypsy- the mother of the Darkness Child. ...Poor Emelyn, she thought- I wish there was more I could do to comfort her. But now... now was not the time.
"My fellow sisters and brothers," she said, smiling at the congregation once more, "we have witnessed beauty and magic- and now, we will balance ourselves in according to the magic. We are made up of elements- all of us, especially the most magical of us- the Fortunettes. As it is, we are unbalanced before the meij, and it does not know how to distribute power among us. As we are, we are unprotected- for when a caravan is balanced magically, few outsiders can penetrate its protection. When it is unbalanced, however- it is chaotic, as is the outside world- and we forsake the harmony that is our birthright."
As she spoke, Oqaia searched through her skirts for the parchment Valelldia had given her earlier in the day to hold.Oqaia She finally found the parchment scrap, and unfolded it. Upon it were the names of all the wagons and the elements of the Fortunettes inside. "Here it..." but before she could finish, she looked down at the first wagon name on the parchment: Blessed Change: Varlan-Earth. And she looked up at her sister in wonder. She'd been given this scrap to hold onto hours before she had ever named her own wagon. But as if to discourage her from asking questions, the elder gypsy just smiled mysteriously and took the scrap from Oqaia. "Thank you. This has the names of the wagons in our possession, and also the elements of those inside. If I have forgotten any- my sincerest, deepest apologies. Even a gypsy makes mistakes," she grinned, and read off the names: Blessed Change: Varlan-Earth WhistleStick: Valelldia-Fire Clair d' Lune: Annjette-Air& Darkness, Vanna-Sound The Mudrunner: Eerie-Earth PhoenixSong: Kale-Fire Weathered Melody: Aisrhan- Air Varekai: Anezka-Air&Earth Daitervyn: Dakoda-Wood Daggerheld: Pierre-Earth Rusting Canvas:Van Dien-Earth Rhytmique: Mitexi-Water The Singing Bird: Gwynna The Spotted Sage: Pandara Narkri Chooma: Tafari-Earth A Light in the Dark: Amkia-Light Mountain Air: Rojiza-Earth Oqaia "I think those are all?" Oqaia said, laughing as she peered over her sister's shoulder. Pales
He only knew that his wagon had not been forgotten, he did not know his new 'family' well enough to say if someone was missing or not. Marissa Vadim Marissa smiled. She sat with Em and listened as Oqaia read the parchment, recognizing her wagon and listening to hear any mistakes. She found none, but that was to be expected.
"Ah, ah," she heard from below her, and looked down to find Kale tugging at her knee. He wanted up, and she obliged, sliding him onto her lap, awaiting any further news. Valelldia Valelldia read through the list one more time, and when no one spoke up, she nodded sagely.
"Let's begin, then. You may be confused at the beginning, but I assure you, you will understand soon enough. There are some things that must be- but the rest are up to you."
She looked at the list. "I must be the first in the caravan," she said softly, "and my element is one of fire. Which means I need someone at the back of the caravan who can equal out that vociferousness. ...I would balance it with fire, but then the power in between would be consumed. I propose we cancel out that power with the only water in our caravan. Rythmique." She turned to Marissa. "For you... I believe we should buffer you in between two earths, so Kale's fire can not consume the power of those around him. ... I will let you choose. Who do you want to be directly before and after you?" Marissa Vadim Marissa was a bit startled to hear her name so early in discussion. When she heard what was asked of her to decide, she sat in silent contemplation for a while, weighing the options and effects of the meij.
When she came to a resolute decision she stood. "I will choose Daggerheld at my front," she began, choosing so for Pierre's deeply-ingrown earthen roots (despite his nature). "And Narkri Chooma at my back." She chose this for Tafari's absolute, steady, earth influence- she knew she would need such support on her side when dealing with a fire like Kale.
She looked at Valleldia, biting her lip and wondering sub-conciously if she had made the right decision. Oqaia "Wonderful," Val said, making a note of the ordering in her mind. Marissa obviously understood how the ordering of the elements would proceed. "Now, as for the second in line- I propose Blessed Change, to keep my sister near," she smiled, "and because such a large earth element may help balance my own nature." She beamed. "And now, we come to the issue of Clair d' Lune. Now in that wagons possession, is a combination of air and sound- and without having something to pin down that joyous upringing of sound that drifts into the air, you also need to balance on either side with earth. Voltaire, if you will, please choose someone for your fore and back." Pales Voltaire was almost unprepared whom to have flank him and who to have before him, that was a difficult question indeed. He idly played with Annjette's dark hair for a moment or two going otherwise silent and still. After a moment his cyan eyes seem to brighten as he spoke up, "I would like Mountain Air before us, because Rojiza's energetic ways often is balanced out by Annjette's cool and even nature. Then at my flank I would choose The Rusting Canvas. Though we have not met, I am sure they will help balance us further." He was flexible with his choice of course, but he always figured anyone he picked that he didn't know he could always get to know at a later date -- perhaps. Valelldia "Thank you, Voltaire. So as it is, it will be at the head-
WhistleStick,
Blessed Change
Spotted Sage ((Pan's wagon ^_~))
And then
Daggerheld
PhoenixSong
Narkri Chooma
And...
Mountain Air
Clair d' Lune
Rusting Canvas.
And then at the back, Rythmique. So what we have left is the Mudrunner-Earth, Weathered Melody-Air, Varekai-Air/Earth, Daityrvn- Wood, A light in the Dark-Light and The Singing Bird.
...I think we should place Daityrvyn, the wood, in the back, before the water, to balance that. I would like to place Varekai between the two earth groups, so that they aren't pulled down- for she is air, but also earth, so she shall bond them. Now, we have left an earth- Mudrunner, an Air- Weathered Melody- and a Light- A light in the dark. Also... Gwynna," she said, calling on the girl, "I do not know your element. Where would you need to be? And the rest of you- where do you think the rest should go?" Anezka Vujo Anezka watched the others as they chose they're spots, hugging onto her mother. She went to open her mouth and was shocked at the words that came out. "What just happened to me, Mother?" Her eyes went wide and she covered her mouth, "I can speak...properly...how'd that...wow...this is all so...weird..." She kept her hand on her mouth, even more shocked at her change. Emelyn "Well," Emelyn said, lifting her head off Marissa's comforting shoulder so that her voice could be heard, "If there is an air between the buffered earth groups- perhaps after Rusting Canvas, another air would be beneficial. Weathered Melody could be after Rusting Canvas." Valelldia Valelldia nodded, accepting the addition. So we have now WhistleStick- FireBlessed Change- Earth((Spotted Sage)) Daggerheld- EarthPhoenixSong- FireNarkri Chooma- EarthVarekai- Air/ EarthMountain Air- EarthClair d' Lune- Air & SoundRusting Canvas- EarthWeathered Melody- Air... Daitryvn- WoodRhythmique- Water"So what now?" Gwynna Chirilo Gwynna started, not really expecting to be called upon. "Um," she said. "I.. I don't know," she admitted, flushing. "I've felt so.. unbalanced as of late I honestly don't know where I'd fit." She winced, twisting the ring around her finger absently. Valelldia The caravan leader gave an understanding smile to the flustered gypsy.
"It's quite alright. ...Just think on this- have you ever felt pulled by one element or another? Are you steady, and humble like earth- do you feel yourself ripped by the winds of change, like air- or do you answer to the turbulance of fire, or the beauty of sound or the steady, ready to be molded wood? There is no wrong answer- it is wherever you feel you belong." Oqaia While Valelldia spoke to Gwynna, Oqaia looked over the parchment. It seemed that the only ones who were left were Gwynna... The Mudrunner, and A Light in the Dark. Gwynna Chirilo Again, the pure strains of a violin echoed through her mind. "Sound," she whispered, nodding. "Sound is where I belong." It had been months.. but Gwynna was finally able to admit it. Perhaps she was beginning to heal after all. Valelldia "Wonderful. Well, I think you would belong well behind Weathered Melody. Although your sound would be carried on the air... it would be grounded by Rusting Canvas on the other side, and thus be mostly balanced.
And then the last earth to balance you- The Mudrunner- and so that there wouldn't be too heavy a load with The Mudrunner (earth) and Daityrvyn (wood), something light must be between them. A light in the dark.
Valelldia clapped her hands. We have our wagon!"
SilverDragon285 Silver sat quietly, only speaking to congratulate her friend, Leshya'e, when Anezka grew. Silver had hugged mother and child, happy for them both, but had soon returned to her thoughtful silence as the wagon ordering began and ended. Weathered Melody was to be the the eleventh wagon. Silver approved. Pandara When Valelldia anounced the order, Pan nodded wondering why she was so in front. She didn't word her element but knew while she held a hefty amount of earth in her blood, the fae part of her leaned towards spirit. Only if asked would she tell her element. It wasn't one to take lightly. Menelie Caroline lifts Ro onto her lap when the ordering ceremony starts. She delights in the organization of it, for she has no skill for organizing herself. She is mostly mild, however, and does not speak. She does, however, break into a smile when Voltaire expresses his desire to have Mountain Air at his front. When the final list is read, she claps her hands. Between Varekai and Claire d'Lune! Then, as Valelldia announces that the Meij has placed the power in her half of the wagon train, she sobers. What will this mean for Ro's quest to become a child?
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:53 pm
Part 5: Finishing Valelldia 1.WhistleStick- Fire2. Blessed Change- Earth3. ((Spotted Sage)) 4. Daggerheld- Earth5. PhoenixSong- Fire6. Narkri Chooma- Earth7. Varekai- Air/ Earth8. Mountain Air- Earth9. Clair d' Lune- Air & Sound10. Rusting Canvas- Earth11. Weathered Melody- Air12. The Singing Bird- Sound13. The Mudrunner- Earth14. A Light in the Dark- Light15. Daityrvyn- Wood16. Rhythmique- WaterValelldia Valelldia read through the wagon ordering, and also, once it was through, sealed it with a whisper of magic words. The meij heard it, and accepted the ordering. In response, Valelldia threw the parchment into the fire.
The brown paper crinkled in violent protest at the flames- but only one half of it was consumed. The rest, in a burst of light, was thrown from the fire where it sat at the caravan leader's feet.
It listed the names of Daggerheld through Clair d' Lune. Valelldia was not surprised- it was balanced fairly with earth, yet sprinkled with powerful, volatile elements like air and fire... and blessed with sound.
Valelldia lifted her head to the assemblage.
"The meij has judged our order, and spoken accordingly. The balance of power has been afforded. From Daggerheld to Clair d' Lune, the power is greater. Spells will be more effective, and fortunes will lean towards more clarity. ...This does not mean that power in the rest of the wagon will be faint- but rather, clouded by the meij, so as to restore balance. As a fair price, those in the center of power will also be the most in danger from the darker meij.
...In the end, we must all search to understand our destiny. For even in the clearest skies, the future will be clouded. And now, sweet brothers and sisters, let us partake of food and drink and be merry."
[Finished for now]
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 1:43 pm
Lorelei hurried up to the door of the wagon, then knelt to place a note, weighted with a shell, on the step. She knocked, considering waiting to talk to the inhabitant of the wagon. In the end, though, she hurried away again before the door opened, going to the next wagon.  I would very much like to meet you - I know that I have been very reticent and have isolated myself. I want that to end. Please, take this gift as a token of my good will... and come visit some time.
~ Lorelei
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:22 pm
[Dreams]
Gwynna slept fitfully in the small bed of her wagon, waking up, rolling over, sleeping again...
She was back in the Great Hall, dancing, teasing, being teased. Men's faces leered at her, yelling and whistling obscenities, occasionally throwing a coin at her feet. She bent down to pick one up and it turned into a copper flame in her hand, licking at her skin without burning. She dropped the coin--
and she was in the woods, belly swollen and cramping. Shade stood over her, laughing, jeering. "Help me," she gasped, blood pouring from between her legs. "Please, I need help." He reached to take her hand--
She sat against a tree, cradling the still form of her daughter, her daughter who never had a name, and never had a life. She was wrapped in a paisley scarf and buried at the foot of the tree, in the blood-soaked earth. Gwynna knelt there, clutching her arms in her lap, tears streaming down her face. She scratched a rune of protection into the bark to mark the spot and fled.
In the distance, a violin played a haunting elegy.
Someone was knocking on the door. She opened her eyes blearily, a cold sweat covering her skin, making her clothing stick to her in a most unpleasant way. She couldn't go back to sleep, afraid the dream would start again, or continue. She didn't know which would be worse.
The message was clear. She had only run away from her past, not left it behind. Perhaps she should tell someone...
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